Ð԰ɵç̨

Key facts

Typical offer

UCAS points:

112 BEng / 120 MEng


A Level:

BBC / BBB

one A level must be at grade C or above in either Mathematics or Phsyics


BTEC:

DMM / DDM


Contextual Offer:

Minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer. Full details at dmu.ac.uk/contextual

Key facts

Duration:

BEng: 3 yrs full-time / MEng: 4 yrs full-time


Study mode:

Full-time


UCAS code:

H330


Institution code:

D26

Typical offer

UCAS points:

112 BEng / 120 MEng


A Level:

BBC / BBB

one A level must be at grade C or above in either Mathematics or Phsyics


BTEC:

DMM / DDM


Contextual Offer:

Minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer. Full details at dmu.ac.uk/contextual

UCAS code

H330

Duration

BEng: Three years full-time, four years full-time with placement. MEng: Four years full-time, five years with placement.

Study mode

Full-time

We offer more than a degree — every course is designed with employability and real-world experience at its core.

Ð԰ɵç̨ is one of the few universities where you’ll benefit from a unique block teaching approach.

Enhance your studies and broaden your horizons, and develop new skills with our international experience programme, Ð԰ɵç̨ Global.

This course combines rigorous academic theory with hands‑on project experience, preparing you for a dynamic career in the global automotive industry.

Automotive engineering is one of the UK's most dynamic and innovative industries, at the forefront of a technological revolution in electric vehicles, autonomous systems, and sustainable transport. It offers a wide range of career opportunities in research, design, development, testing, and manufacturing.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore the core principles of automotive engineering, gaining in-depth knowledge in areas such as vehicle dynamics and control, powertrain systems (including electric and hybrid), chassis and suspension engineering, advanced simulation technologies (FEA and CFD), vehicle design and systems integration, and automotive materials and structures. The course combines hands-on experience with advanced theoretical learning, ensuring you will graduate with the skills and confidence to thrive in industry.

Graduates are well-equipped for careers across the automotive and motorsport sectors, including roles in vehicle dynamics, powertrain engineering, automotive project management, the defence industry, and vehicle testing and validation.

You can study Automotive Engineering as a three-year BEng (Hons) programme or as a four-year integrated master’s. At the end of the third year, you may choose to graduate with a BEng or continue to the fourth year to earn an MEng, subject to meeting the progression criteria.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

What you will study

Block 1: Engineering Tools and Principles 1

The module provides background in the fundamental principles of Mathematics and Mechanical Principles (Solid Mechanics) covering topics such as stress and strain, shear forces, torsion and how power is transferred via shafts as in jet engines; it also covers topics in Electronic Principles relevant to all engineering disciplines.

Block 2: Engineering Tools and Principles 2

This module builds on knowledge gained in Engineering Tools and Principles 1. It provides further understanding in Mathematics and Mechanical Principles (Dynamics) covering topics such as Newton’s laws, linear and angular motion, friction, inertia etc. It also covers Electronic Principles including analysis of RLC circuits and operational amplifiers.

Block 3: Automotive Design and Manufacturing 1

This hands-on module immerses you in the engineering design process through a group project to create a functional prototype. You’ll master the complete design lifecycle, from technical drawing and problem-solving to key professional skills like project management. You'll gain proficiency in essential digital tools, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and programming, alongside the fundamentals of machines and mechanisms.

All learning is framed within the global automotive industry, covering business practices, regulations, and sustainability. This module directly bridges theory with practice, preparing you to solve real-world engineering challenges.

Block 4: Automotive Design and Manufacturing 2

This module is focused on the build-and-test cycle. Your group will design, manufacture, and test a working prototype, moving from the ideal CAD world to a physical product. You'll select manufacturing processes, run quality control, and then test your build to see if it actually works. To do this, you'll learn to create assemblies in CAD, get a first look at FEA, and write code to handle real data. The theory covers essential machine components and the fundamental physics of vehicle dynamics, forces, power, and motion.

Block 1: Automotive Chassis Design

This module introduces you to the principles of chassis design in the context of mechanical and automotive engineering. The module covers key areas such as structural integrity, suspension geometry, and load distribution. An emphasis is placed on materials selection, lightweight design strategies, and crashworthiness. You will learn how to design and evaluate chassis systems that meet performance, safety, and durability requirements. This module will go through applied theory and design tasks and you will develop essential engineering competencies.

Block 2: Automotive Powertrain Systems

This module introduces you to advanced propulsion systems in the context of modern automotive engineering. It covers the fundamentals of internal combustion engines, including thermodynamic principles, fuel injection systems, and turbocharging. You will also explore hybrid and electric powertrains, energy recovery technologies, emissions control, and alternative fuels.

An emphasis is placed on improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Through analytical work and design-based tasks, you will gain the technical skills needed to evaluate and propose sustainable propulsion solutions, in line with UK-SPEC learning outcomes for professional engineering development.

Block 3 and 4: Engineering Project Management

Projects need to deliver a design solution (e.g., a product), which require planning and initiation, and need to be budgeted, costed, and scheduled and completed within these projections. Projects require management of stakeholder expectations, and they need to be undertaken at an agreed level of quality within an accepted level of risk. This module presents some of the background, theory, and practice to enable learners to embed professional project management expertise in their professional and academic development.

The design part of the module will teach advanced computer aided design skills and advanced Finite Element Analysis skills which can be used to analysis mechanical components and how and why they could fail under varying load and multidimensional stress conditions.

Block 3 and 4: Automotive Body and Structures

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles involved in the design, analysis, and manufacturing of automotive body structures. It provides insight into structural performance, aerodynamics, and crashworthiness in vehicle body systems. You will explore key concepts such as lightweight construction, material selection, and joining techniques including welding, adhesives, and composite bonding. The module emphasises structural integrity, safety, and sustainable practices in automotive body engineering, preparing you for design challenges in the modern automotive industry.

Block 1: Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management

This module is about managing airflow and heat to make vehicles more efficient and powerful. You'll start with aerodynamics, analysing the causes of drag and learning practical strategies for airflow optimisation, from body streamlining to active aero. We'll cover both physical wind tunnel testing and the basics of CFD.  Then, we’ll move to thermal management, covering cooling systems, heat exchangers, and the specific challenges of keeping EV batteries and motors at optimal temperatures. You’ll learn how these two fields are critical for modern vehicle design.

Block 2: Vehicle Dynamics

This module is all about the physics of vehicle handling, ride, and stability. You'll analyse the fundamentals of motion like understeer and oversteer, and break down the design of suspension systems and the effect of geometry tuning.  We'll do a deep dive into tire dynamics, looking at how grip is generated and the models used to predict it. You'll also use simplified vehicle models to analyse ride quality and learn the working principles behind electronic stability control systems like ABS and ESP.

Block 3: Individual Project

This module is your capstone individual project. You'll take ownership of a complex engineering problem, from initial concept to final validation. With guidance from an academic supervisor, you'll define your research question, conduct a literature review, and engineer a solution—which could be a physical prototype, a piece of software, or a detailed analysis. The project demands a rigorous approach to design, testing, and data evaluation. You'll be assessed on a final report, a presentation where you defend your findings, and a demonstration of what you've built or created.

Block 1: Engineering Business Environment

The module enables you to understand and reflect upon sustainability and the role of business in a rapidly changing, globalised world. It identifies opportunities and threats for industry arising from environmental policy, legislation, and societal change, and explores how businesses respond to future environmental challenges: for example, through supply chain management, logistics, life-cycle analysis, green accounting, and carbon trading.

Block 2: Human Factors and Sustainability in Vehicle Design

This module tackles the systems-level challenges of modern vehicles: the human, the environment, and the machine. We'll analyse human-vehicle interaction, from physical ergonomics to the UX of driver-assist systems (ADAS). You'll investigate crash causation and the principles of sustainable design, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the use of lightweight materials. A key part of the course deals with the ethics of autonomous vehicles, analysing decision-making dilemmas and the governance needed for AI.

Block 3: Advanced Vehicle Engineering and Simulation

This module gets you hands-on with the core simulation tools of the auto industry. You'll use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural and crashworthiness simulations, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyse aerodynamics and cooling, and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) for suspension and NVH analysis. The focus is on applying these methods to solve practical design problems. You'll also learn how to build integrated simulation workflows and the critical process of validating your computer models against real-world data to ensure they are accurate and reliable.

Block 4: Group Project

The module provides an opportunity for you to work on an engineering project as a multidisciplinary team, which will be similar to that found in industry. A project contains many facets of engineering, science, management and business, and often the you are not exposed to these multidisciplinary aspects until they move into industry. This module has been specifically designed to expose you to the multidisciplinary and team nature of many engineering projects, helping to highlight individual strengths and weaknesses.

It will also help to prepare you for being responsible for quality of their output, in particular conforming to required protocols, and managing technical uncertainty. The selected engineering project will give an opportunity for you to learn and practise engineering design as well as key skills. The engineering design and practise will include design using appropriate technical information and engineering knowledge, problem solving, application and development of mathematical and computer models, the understanding and selection of components and materials, the necessary workshop and laboratories techniques. The key skill aspect will include understanding and practising project management, leadership, and risk management applied to a technical project that could involve communication of ideas within a team and wider (potentially international) audience, as well as the social and environmental aspects.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

The curriculum covers regulatory, safety, and sustainability standards, ensuring alignment with industry trends through collaboration with automotive manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Bosch. Industry-mentored projects and guest lectures offer insights into research, product development, and manufacturing processes.

The program progresses from fundamental principles to system integration and applied research, aligning with UK-SPEC and AHEP4 standards for professional registration as Incorporated or Chartered Engineers. Emphasizing active learning, you will engage in hands-on projects, workshops, and practical sessions to develop essential skills. Training includes safety standards, emissions regulations, and industry certifications.

Our next Open Day is on
Saturday 15 November

Join us in 32 days and 6 hours.

Student ambassador waiting to welcome guests with a sign that reads here to help.

Our facilities

You will have access to computer and experimental laboratory facilities throughout the course, including industry-standard 3D design and FEA Analysis software.

Mechanical Engineering Lab

Our mechanical engineering laboratory is designed for the study of thermofluids, solid mechanics and dynamics. It also has an area with machine tools for the manufacture of student designs.

There is a purpose-built engine testing facility to measure engine performance and emissions, and our energy laboratory is available to conduct thermofluid experiments relevant to mechanical engineering.

The materials laboratory has facilities for material microstructure examination and properties testing. Equipment incudes microscopes and various properties testers for tensile, fatigue, wear, corrosion, hardness, and impact testing.

The dynamics and control laboratory allows you to study gyroscope theory, vibration theory, non-linear control and inertia bending.

Take a s c r o l l through campus

Experience a virtual tour of campus at your own pace.

Jump in

What makes us special

Three students working together on a laptop

Block teaching

With block teaching, you’ll learn in a focused format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your Ð԰ɵç̨ community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

Ð԰ɵç̨ Racing

As a Ð԰ɵç̨ student you have the opportunity to get involved with Formula Student, through Ð԰ɵç̨ Racing, as an extra curricular activity alongside your studies. Being part of Ð԰ɵç̨ Racing will enhance your employability beyond the classroom, and is a great way to improve your skills and apply them to a real-life engineering project. It also looks great on your CV.

Each year, Ð԰ɵç̨ Racing attends the Formula Student event at Silverstone Circuit, competing against over 130 other universities from around the world. All members get a chance to attend the event, which is an incredible experience! 

Where we could take you

mechanical-engineering

Placements

Work placements are offered as part of this course through Ð԰ɵç̨ Careers Team, and can boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.

We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team will help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.

Engineering students have undertaken placements at large organisations including Cummins, Caterpillar and the National Grid.

mechanical-engineering-meng

Graduate careers

Automotive Engineering opens the door to a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. Graduates are equipped with the technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and practical experience required to succeed in industries including automotive, motorsport, defence, manufacturing, energy, and transport.

The course equips you to address emerging challenges such as autonomous driving, cybersecurity, and sustainable materials, while also providing practical experience through work placements and industry-focused projects. This ensures you are fully prepared to transition into professional practice after graduation.

Some of our Engineering graduates are working for companies such as Toyota, Cummins Generator Technologies, Ricardo (McLaren Performance Engines), Vodafone and JCB.

Course specifications

Course title

Automotive Engineering

Award

BEng/MEng (Hons)

UCAS code

H330

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September 2026

Duration

BEng: Three years full-time, four years full-time with placement. MEng: Four years full-time, five years with placement.

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£17,250

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Additional costs

Entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

112 BEng / 120 MEng


A Level:

BBC / BBB

one A level must be at grade C or above in either Mathematics or Phsyics


BTEC Extended Diploma:

DMM / DDM


Contextual Offer:

Ð԰ɵç̨ operates a generous contextual offer for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education.

This is a minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer and full details including eligibility criteria can be found at dmu.ac.uk/contextual


T Levels:

Merit


Access to HE:

Pass in an Engineering, Physics or Mathematics QAA accredited Access to HE course, with at least 15 level 3 credits in the relevant subject at distinction.


International Baccalaureate (IB):

26 / 30

with Maths or Physics at higher level


Engineering Year Zero:

Pass


GCSEs:

5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths


Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myÐ԰ɵç̨ login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in Ð԰ɵç̨ Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy varies by location.

Learn more about fees and funding information.